Telegram-herald., 1887-09-01
PRAAllHI BEHEADEO
DESCRIPTION or The EXECUTION.
a Howitnx Mob Surrounds the Prison
sketch of tAs Crime for which the No.
torio0s Bisekmsilsr OF Worm
Lost hls Head.

Pass. Aug 3l.-Pranxini. the murderer
Of Marie Regnsult was executed In the Jail
yard in the Place de "a Roquette st sol
this morning. A crowd Of z. .000 had gath
cred during the night and the police had
great difficulty keeping them within
bounds. The mobs are satisfied now that
they have feasted their eyes on Pranzinis
blood and have dispersed contented with
the horrible repast. The crowd WAS nearly
frantic with iiendish delight during the
building OF the guillotine and the last
scenes preparatory 10 the execution. When
the chaplain came, halt an hour before the
execution, 10 was with the greatest
difficulty be could force his way through
the mass OF bowling wretches to the
scsftold. When Pranzini was brought out
a. o'clock he walked firmly 10 the guillo-
tine. The executioners seized him. he
He resisted and demanded 10 be let alone,
evid ,ntly wishing TO die with the same
pride that has sustained him throughout
the whole affair. There was a struggle be-
fore the engine OF death, but the execution
ers overpovered the prisoner and threw
him upon the machine.
The knife instantly started on its work
of expiation. AT first il descended with
horrible slowness and the silence was al
most undesirable, but in a moment its mo-
ton was accelerated and in another instant
the head of Nine. Regnault's murderer
rolled INTO the basket at the feet of the
mob. Pranzini died without confessing the
murder for which he lost his head
The crime which Pranzini expiated was
the murder OF three women. Marie Reg
nault was q handsome woman. who be-
longed TO the deBli-mOnde of Paris Her
protectors included general of the army
and several high officials of France. She
was saving. and managed to lay by a good
deal Of money. When she met Pranzini
she fell deeply in love with him. and he
made her support him. On the night of
March II he murdered Marie. and her maid
and daughter. Stealing her money and
| jewels. he fled 70 Msrseilles, where he was
captured. His trial in Paris was
attended by crowds of nobility
and dcEniRs0Rde Letters received
| from his arlstocratic victims who were in
| love with him. were read as evidence. but
names were carefully withheld. The most
sensational were those of an American girl,
the daughter of a wealthy New York
banker, who spent last year in Paris. He
| calamity translated an order for her in q
restaurant, and by that means he formed
! her acquaintance. Her letters began Nov.
/ =, 1856, the day after she arrived in New
York. In February she complains bitterly
/ of his silence, whreupon Pranzini got one
of bis friends to write q letter about a duel
/ in which he had been wounded. On March
! IS the day after his hoTrible murder, he ca
bled the sentimental American girl that be
was out of danger. She Immediately wrote
him a most loving note, which arrived ten
/ days afer his arrest. Pranzinis plan in
robbing and numbering Marie Regnault wa;
| 10 obtain funds to visit Americs after the
| girl who was so smitten on hin. Pranzin
was born OF Italian parents in Egypt. At an
early age be took to q life of crime. anc
soon became an expert. Living In many
different countries be became master o
! eight different languages In whatever
| business be was engaged he was sure to rot
or steal. In Paris his fine figure and hand
some face fitted him for his last undertak
ing. that of q professional blackmailer o
| women.